1. GROUND CONTROL: If anything, the game clock could fairly fly off the wall, what with LaDainian Tomlinson's history against the Raiders and Oakland's ability to run the ball far better than it passes. Tomlinson could win a single-season rushing championship based solely on his 15 dances with Oakland, in which he has amassed 1,815 yards, more than any running back in history against any single team over that many games. That includes nine 100-yard performances – the most recent in San Diego's 28-18 victory at Oakland on Sep. 28 – and 18 touchdowns. Man, do Tomlinson and the Chargers need the Raiders now, too. Conversely, Oakland ranks 10th in rushing, more owing to veteran Justin Fargas than celebrated rookie Darren McFadden.

2. SLOW STARTERS: If you can't keep the Raiders offense from scoring a touchdown in the first half, you're ... well, you're the Chargers. Indeed, incredibly, the only TD Oakland has scored from scrimmage in the first two quarters of any of its 12 games was in the first San Diego game. That was a 63-yard TD pass to tight end Zach Miller in the second quarter, a period in which the Chargers have given up a whopping 124 points. (By comparison, they've surrendered 44 in first quarters, 31 in thirds and 75 in fourths.)

3. 10 PLUS 10: The Chargers are way past the point where anything is automatic for them, but while the convergence may have come too late for their purposes, the arrival of both December and the Raiders in San Diego would seem fortuitous. The Chargers thrive in those arctic conditions that blast San Diego in the 12th month, having won 10 straight December games, and they're also winners of 10 straight against Oakland.

4. TIGHT-EN(D) UP: The Chargers have had their problems with tight ends, including the aforementioned Miller, but they've also had difficulty getting their own TE back to his old dominant ways. The more passes they can get in Antonio Gates' hands, too, the more things should open up for the wide receivers who were feeling neglected Sunday.

5. AND FINALLY? Honestly. Can you really read it anymore and actually believe it, the weekly grind about how the Chargers have to play like their postseason lives depend on it? This time, if they don't win, it really could be their last meaningful game of 2008.